Hold on tight

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. | Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)

“Honestly, trust me” is the plea of a person trying to persuade someone else who’s reluctant to entrust themselves [in whatever context] to them.’s rooted in the well-intended, though sometimes misplaced belief that they know themselves to be trustworthy – they trust themselves - so the other person should also trust them.

“Trust me, I’m a doctor” is now generally a comedic reference, but is more professional than the first example. It says ‘I’ve got credentials; I’ve been assessed and proved myself competent to a standard, so you’re safe in my hands.’ Such a claim does have a degree of external validation, but we know that doctors still have limited insight and knowledge, surgeons make mistakes and medical blunders grab headlines. It’s not that we shouldn’t ever trust medical professionals, but we can’t put all of our hope in them.

“Trust me, I’m God”, however, is a different sort of invitation. It’s rooted in the deep, infinite knowledge of his own goodness and trustworthiness, and is spoken out of an unwavering desire to glorify himself whilst doing what he knows to be best for his children.

God can be trusted. The writer of Hebrews knew this. People throughout the centuries have known this. Do you know it? If so, is your life reflecting it?

And do you see what the write says? That God can be trusted to keep his promises.

I would encourage you to spend time encouraging yourself with the promises that the God has made and revealed in the pages of Scripture. Below are a few to set you on your way:

§ he will never abandon or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6)

§ the free gift God offers in Christ is eternal life

§ when you pass through fires and floods, you will not be burned or consumed (Isaiah 43:2)

§ ’bruised reeds’ will not be crushed and smouldering wicks will not be snuffed out (Isaiah 42:3)

§ he has loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)

§ we can know the comfort of God in every distressing circumstance (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

§ the good work he has begun in you, he will bring to its completion (Philippians 1:6)

The list goes on… have a read or find a pre-prepared list (like this) of the promises of God on t’internet and preach truth to your own soul.

And one more promise that fixes our eyes on a future certainty:

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

In light of this, how should we respond? By holding fast. By choosing trust over doubt; peace over panic. God has promised, God can be trusted, therefore we can hold fast – not ‘white-knuckling it’ as if we were on an unpredictable rollercoaster, but in a calm, deliberate and measured way, reflecting that we know the One who holds our days in His hands, and we trust him absolutely.